Things have been a little dull around here the past few weeks, so let's shake it up a bit. Collin Balester's in the mood to reconnect with some hard core Nats fans, and no better place than right here, tomorrow morning at 11:00 am Washington DC time. For one hour, it'll be Q&A time.

Seeing how this is the first time we're going to be doing this, the rules will be invented on the fly. As of now, we're going to just have Collin drop in at the anointed hour and have a conversation with us. While I sincerely doubt there would be anything inappropriate put in the queue, remember that your friendly moderators will be here to kick some ass offer constructive feedback if necessary.

If you have any topics of interest, go ahead and post them here before tomorrow morning, it'll give him a head start on his thoughts towards answering.

Questions?

PS: Thanks again to Spinman for his integral role in arranging this session.

(1) As opposed to years past, what would be the one thing this team could do to get off to a great start to open the regular season?

(2) In looking at your wikipedia page, do you think I have a future in elbow modeling?

EDIT: I'd love to join the chat, but alas I will be unavoidably detained.

1) I think this year could be different than years past because we really have lots and lots of pitching Bullpen and Starting, we will have lots of competition for all those roles and to go along with are already strong hitting we are going to surprise a lot of people this year

2) I saw my page and its a players elbow so That means your a player on the nats then right?!?

2) I saw my page and its a players elbow so That means your a player on the nats then right?!?

Ah, it appears your picture has changed from the original, which was taken just as Minty entered the room behind you and Carp at the Bloggers' event in Nats Park. He was SO proud of that elbow cameo, but alas, someone has updated the picture to exclude him.

In your career, you had trouble pitching out of the stretch/with men on base. Doesn't relief pitching not suit your abilities because as a reliever you would be counted on to pitch with men on base a lot?

In your career, you had trouble pitching out of the stretch/with men on base. Doesn't relief pitching not suit your abilities because as a reliever you would be counted on to pitch with men on base a lot?

Well thats one aspect I have been working on this offseason so far so that I can get better just incase they want to move me to the pen or just so when people get on when im a starter, Thats a big part of the game and I really just need to slow down the game when people get on and that would help my era haha..

Hypothetically, if you were given the choice, would you rather remain a starter and start the season in AAA with a chance of a September call up, or work out of the 'pen on the big league club from the start of the season?

Hypothetically, if you were given the choice, would you rather remain a starter and start the season in AAA with a chance of a September call up, or work out of the 'pen on the big league club from the start of the season?

I would love to stay as a starter and I feel that I have a lot that people haven't seen of me yet, That being said if they said they needed me to be in the big league bullpen to help out the team I would gladly move and help the team..

Nyjer was reported to have been doing pilates while rehabbing late last season from his injury.

Do you see a trend towards players taking up alternative exercise routines like pilates or plyometrics? Have you considered any of these more recent alternatives?

What is your offseason regimen?

Yes I really think that people are starting to do more yoga and pilates and more stretch classes to get them more flexible and ready to do the sport they do..and as for me I Do Yoga 2-3 times and week and pilates 2 times a week with a stretch class mixed in and on top of that weights too and throwing and running . So lots of things to make me a better pitcher.

Collin, thanks for chatting with us (and for bringing the stache). Just wondering what you guys are required to do in the off-season (if anything?). Are there any formal training programs? Do you have to work with anyone or train with anyone? Also, have you gotten to hang out with Strasburg yet and will he sport a stache in 2010?